Aviation Crash Map

Bell 206L-1 N305MH

26 September 2008 · Homer, Alaska, United States · Serious injuries

Summary

On 26 September 2008 at about 00:15 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N305MH, operated by Maritime Helicopters Inc, was involved in an accident near Homer, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 00:15
Classification
Accident
Location
Homer, Alaska, United States
Coordinates
59.8792, -150.9781
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Registration
N305MH
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
Maritime Helicopters Inc
Operating rule
Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Homer → Homer
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
ANC08LA127

People

1 person was seriously injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 1 0 0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an external load lift. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of situational awareness.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airline transport helicopter pilot was assisting an electric utility company in positioning personnel and equipment under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. While lifting an external load, he reported that he had completed the hovering long-line hookup, but forgot that he was directly under high tension power lines. He said that as he started to extend the line the main rotor blades contacted and severed the power lines. The pilot said that his next memory was being on the ground looking at the wreckage. He said the helicopter was operating normally until he contacted the wires. The helicopter sustained damage to the fuselage and rotor system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Bell 206 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
13 Jan 2008 Bell 206 B2
N49588
La Verna, California, United States - No injuries -
10 Oct 2008 Bell 206B
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31 Aug 2008 Bell 206L-1
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13 Oct 2008 Bell 206
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7 Jan 2008 Bell 206B
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9 May 2008 Bell 206 L-1
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Muanda, Congo Petroleum Helicopters Inc. Fatal 1

All 1,732 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
3 Oct 2008 Antonovich Anton B CHALLENGER II
N7511J
Chugiak, Alaska, United States Richard H. Roiland Fatal 1
22 Jul 2008 De Havilland DHC-3
N61FE
Iliamna, Alaska, United States Rainbow King Lodge Inc No injuries -
8 Oct 2008 Cessna 208B
N1229C
Bethel, Alaska, United States Grant Aviation Inc. Minor injuries -
5 Jan 2008 Piper PA-31-350
N509FN
Kodiak, Alaska, United States Servant Air, Inc. Fatal 6
9 Oct 2008 Cessna A185F
N9380N
Kenai, Alaska, United States Alaska Department of Public Safety No injuries -
10 May 2008 Cessna 172
N7598T
Chugiak, Alaska, United States - No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States